Does poor posture cause pain? Not so fast...

If you've been told that your bad posture is causing your back pain, it's time to stop sitting up straight and start laughing.

The belief that poor posture directly causes pain is widespread but outdated. Recent research suggests that this connection is oversimplified, and that pain is a complex experience influenced by a variety of biological, psychological, and social factors.

One challenge in studying the posture-pain relationship is the subjective nature of pain perception. What hurts one person may not hurt another, and even the same person may experience pain differently at different times. This complexity makes it difficult to isolate posture as the sole determinant of pain.

What is more, many studies fail to account for confounding variables that may contribute to both poor posture and pain simultaneously. For example, people with sedentary jobs are more likely to have both poor posture and back pain. But is it the posture that's causing the pain, or the fact that they're sitting all day?

Despite these challenges, some evidence suggests that certain postures can exacerbate existing pain or strain on specific body parts. However, the notion that poor posture is the primary cause of pain remains largely unsubstantiated.

When it comes to managing pain, empowering patients through education is essential. Many people believe that specific postural adjustments can alleviate their pain, but recent research challenges this belief. Healthcare professionals can equip patients with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their own well-being by exploring effective strategies for pain reversal and educating them about the multidimensional nature of pain. By understanding that various factors can contribute to pain perception, individuals are empowered to adopt a holistic approach towards managing their discomfort.

In Short

The relationship between poor posture and pain is complex and multifaceted.

While certain postures may exacerbate existing pain, it is unlikely that posture is the sole cause of pain. Individuals should be empowered through education to adopt a holistic approach to pain management, taking into account the various biological, psychological, and social factors that can contribute to pain perception.

If you're looking to really understand why you are experiencing pain and what steps you can take to reduce and/or eliminate it, book an initial assessment with me. It could be the most enlightening 90 minutes of your life.

😊 A Smile and a Thought 🤔

What do you call a person with perfect posture? A pain in the neck!

"Resilience is not what happens to you. It's how you react to, respond to and recover from what happens to you." Jeffrey Gitomer.